Rock Hill to host regional Quidditch tournament in 2014

York County’s position as an amateur sports destination continues to gain steam. The Rock Hill-York County Convention & Visitors Bureau announced Wednesday Rock hill will host the International Quidditch Southern US Regional Championships in February.

The two-day competition will take place at the Manchester Meadows Soccer Complex February 15-16, 2014.

“The IQA is thrilled to be bringing our Southern US Regional Championship to Rock Hill in February,” says Alex Benepe, International Quidditch Association CEO. “Between that event and our World Cup in North Myrtle Beach in April, it’s clear that South Carolina is becoming a major destination for sports, and we’re proud that Quidditch can be a part of it.”

Rock Hill will host between 22- 25 different colleges throughout the south for this championship, including Winthrop University.

“We are excited to welcome Quidditch teams and fans from across the region to Rock Hill and showcase the diverse usages for the Manchester Meadows facility,” states Mayor Doug Echols, City of Rock Hill. “This is a great opportunity to share our southern hospitality, and we expect many people will come out to watch this relatively new sport.”

Bill Shanahan, York County’s new county manager, is hopeful that once the teams and fans experience York County they will come back to visit.

“York County would like to thank the International Quidditch Association for choosing us as the host of the 2014 Southern US Regional Championship,” Shanahan said. “We are thrilled to have nearly 3,000 people coming to our area, and we look forward to giving the citizens of York County the opportunity to see what the game of Quidditch is first hand.”